-
Member Spotlight: Brittney Gray with Revamped Beauty
January 5, 2021
Categories: Breast Cancer, Business, Compression, Lymphedema
By: Brittney Gray, Founder and Owner, Revamped Beauty Revamped Beauty is a 501c3 public charitable organization in Birmingham, Alabama. Our mission is to empower men and women to live their most beautiful lives in the face of a breast cancer diagnosis by providing access to specialized medical equipment and services. Revamped Beauty works in our community to spread awareness of the obstacles that patients endure after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis. We focus on providing resources that help
-
The Cancer Care Continuum: Is There Enough Focus on Lymphedema Prevention?
May 29, 2020
Categories: Compression, Essential Advantage, Essential News, Lymphedema, Vendor News
By: Mark Rabe, Vice President Business Development, lmpediMed This article was first featured in the 1st Quarter 2020 issue of Essential Advantage. Cancer-related lymphedema currently affects about one-third of patients who have undergone surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. It is painful, incurable, and lifelong. However, it can be prevented ... but only if it's caught early and treated. The forefront of cancer-related lymphedema prevention: TEST,
-
Home-Based Exercise, Weight Loss Interventions Do Not Improve Breast-Cancer Lymphedema
August 26, 2019
Categories: Breast Cancer, Compression, Essential News, Lymphedema, Research
A recent research study recently found that home-based exercise and/or weight loss intervention failed to improve breast cancer-related lymphedema outcomes among breast cancer survivors who are overweight. The study was conducted by Kathryn H. Schmitz, PhD, MPH, professor in the department of public health sciences and in the department of physical medicne and rehabilitation at Penn State Cancer Institute and hypothesized that combining weight loss and exercise would achieve the greatest reduction
-
Member Spotlight: A Cause Worth Fighting For
August 19, 2019
Categories: Compression, Essential Advantage, Essential News, Legislation, Lymphedema Treatment Act, Members in the News
Kim Neel of Alala When a woman hears she has beaten breast cancer, her life should improve. The fight is over, she’s in the clear, it’s time for things to go back to normal. But, as everyone in the industry knows, that is simply not the case. Side effects of the treatment that saved her life can lead to conditions like lymphedema – a condition that can cause fibrosis, infection, pain, and impaired functioning of the affected body part. Kim Neel, cofounder of Alala, has made it
-
RAC Audits - Pneumatic Compression Devices
August 19, 2019
Categories: Billing & Reimbursement, Compression, Essential News
On January 23, 2019, the DMEPOS and Home Health Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Performant added Pneumatic Compression Devices to their CMS Approved Audit Issues log. The reviews are defined as complex reviews for claims with a paid date more than 3 years prior to the Additional Development Request (ADR) letter date. Performant indicates that pneumatic compression devices (HCPCS Codes E0651 and E0652) may have been provided to patients where all Medicare coverage criteria were not met. The review
-
Modern Compression Therapy
August 12, 2019
Categories: Compression, Essential Advantage, Essential News, Vendor News
By: Krista Barnett, Marketing Manager, medi USA Compression is the cornerstone of therapy for patients with chronic venous diseases. Sufferers of venous diseases arise in those who have increased pressure strains on the veins in their legs, which can prompt valves within the veins to fail to work efficiently, resulting in blood flow to back up and eventually pool out into the legs. Venous disease is not curable, but veins do respond well to treatment. Compression therapy is a primary source of
-
Beat the Summer Heat with mediven Compression Solutions
July 25, 2019
Categories: Compression, Essential News, Vendor News
It’s the dog-days of summer. But just because it’s hot and sultry outside, that’s not a reason to stop wearing compression! The technology in mediven® products can help you overcome the "summertime" objections. Did you know that our mediven® premium knit products have a unique technology called Clima Comfort that transports moisture from the surface of the skin for optimum comfort all day? When moisture builds near the skin it creates an insulation layer that
-
New Technology May Help Detect Lymphedema Early
May 30, 2019
Categories: Compression, Essential News, Lymphedema Treatment Act, Research
A new study shows that there is a way to detect lymphedema early. Typically, a patient with potential lymphedema is screened through a tape measure evaluation. A new technology, bioimpedance spectroscopy, or BIS, sends an electrical signal into the extremity that can detect lymphedema before a tape evaluation. The new study found that BIS helped discover symptoms better than just a traditional tape measure, but it allowed patients to receive treatment that could potentially reverse the progression.
-
Omaha Breast Cancer Survivor Shares How She Manages Lymphedema
April 18, 2019
Categories: Breast Cancer, Compression, Essential News, Let Her Decide, Lymphedema Treatment Act
Some research indicates that 40% of breast cancer survivors will develop lymphedema. Once you develop lymphedema, you live with it for the rest of your life. Recently, an Omaha breast cancer survivor showed how she has been managing her lymphedema for the past 23 years. Even though many people experience lymphedema, the majority of people do not understand the diagnosis, maintenance required, products available, and cost to the patient. Read the full story from KMTV. The
-
Lymphedema Treatment Act Update
March 11, 2019
Categories: Compression, Essential News, Legislative, Lymphedema Treatment Act
The Essentially Women membership has two pieces of federal legislation already moving in Congress, the Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act and the Lymphedema Treatment Act. The Lymphedema Treatment Act is being spearheaded by the Lymphedema Treatment Act Organization. Medicare does not recognize and acknowledge the role compression plays in the treatment of lymphedema. If passed, this legislation will provide Medicare coverage for all forms of compression, including bandaging supplies,